*Atacamite*

*This beautiful stone is one of ‘self motivation’, bringing the energy of positive motivation with confidence and enthusiasm.
*Gives us the independence we desire while helping us to understand that each of us is a model of perfection.
*Atacamite removes energy blocks and can open both the crown and the heart chakras.
*Used in acupuncture treatments to ignite chi or to release energy throughout the body.

*Amber*

*Amber may be used to increase vitality, motivation, and creativity. It is a powerful amulet when worn for protection, especially when carved into the shape of your totem animal.
*Wear amber to attract warm, loyal, and generous people into your life; or carry amber on your person to lend logic or wit to a difficult situation.
*Mixed with turquoise, amber is reminiscent of Sky Father or the sun in the sky. This combination if energies may be used successfully to quiet the mind and calm the nervous system.

Dangers to Meditation

By Bhikkhu Khantipalo

 
While the number of ways a meditator may go astray is legion, the few mentioned below deserve a special mention due to their common occurrence. First, a danger that cannot be stressed enough is the lack of right motivation for the practice of meditation. When the Eightfold Path is described, in its “wisdom” section, standing next to the (at first) intellectual right understanding, comes right motivation, thus emphasizing that the emotional roots underlying practice of the Way must be skillful ones: those connected with renunciation (non-greed), goodwill (non-hatred) and non-violence are mentioned. If one approaches Buddhist meditation with neither right understanding regarding dukkha and its cessation, nor with right motives, then one’s meditation is liable to seriously astray.